CBS’ KCBS/KCAL gets new boss

Mauldin replaces McClenahan in top gig

CBS’ KCBS/KCAL Los Angeles duopoly is getting a new boss.

Prexy/GM Patrick McClenahan is out after just a year in the top gig at the stations. Replacing him will be Steve Mauldin, who most recently served as president/GM of CBS’ KTVT/KTXA duopoly in Dallas/Fort Worth.

The L.A. shuffle reps the first major move by new CBS Television Stations boss Peter Dunn, who was named to his post last month.

“Steve is one of our most experienced executives running major market duopolies, having done so in both Dallas and Miami to great effect — both in terms of driving sales growth and leading his stations to first place in late news,” Dunn said. “Los Angeles is a huge market for CBS and we’re privileged to have one of our strongest operators leading the charge.”

It’s a return to Los Angeles for Mauldin, who spent time earlier in his career at KABC. His resume also includes serving as president and GM of CBS’ WFOR/WBFS duopoly in Miami, as well as prexy/GM at WTSP Tampa, VP/GM at KHTV Houston and VP/GM at WVUE New Orleans.

At KTVT, Mauldin managed to finish the November 2009 sweep as No. 1 in Dallas — a feat given that KTVT had been an independent station without news until 15 years ago, when it became a CBS outlet.

Move is a sign that CBS sees opportunity in Los Angeles, where KCBS had long been an also-ran in the market. But the station’s news operation has seen growth in recent years, particularly after the arrival of anchor Paul Magers. The CBS network’s strong primetime performance has also helped given KCBS somewhat of a boost.

“Los Angeles is such a huge, diverse market with unlimited opportunities for growth — including new initiatives with our CBS Local Media partners at the seven CBS Radio stations in this market,” Mauldin said.

As for McClenahan, it’s unclear where he might land next. The station topper had just recently relaunched KCBS’ and KCAL’s news brand under the banner title “NewsCentral.”

McClenahan first joined KCAL (prior to CBS’ purchase of the station) in April 1997 as VP/executive producer of sports, eventually working his way up in 2002 to senior VP/station manager. He succeeded Don Corsini as prexy/GM last December.